FAST ELECTRONS FROM GRIMM GLOW-DISCHARGE HELIUM PLASMAS

Pulsed high voltages with a maximum of 5 kV were applied to the Grimm glow discharge lamp using helium gas. Strong radiation of the continuo us X-rays and the characteristic X-rays from thr window materials of A l and Zr thin films was observed. We consider that the high-energy ele ctron, namely, the runaway electron, emitted from the cathode surface passed right through the hollow anode and bombarded the X-ray window, resulting in the X-ray emission. This electric discharge lamp is expec ted to be useful as a new electron and soft-X-ray source.